Hello from Upstate New York

[grandmawalker]

I'm a retired Great-grandma that likes to take on projects and I've taken on a big one.<br /><br />I just joined the Forum hoping that I will hear from some of you folks that have completed (or are in the middle of) converting a cargo van to camper.<br /><br />I just purchased a 2006 Chevy Express XL Cargo Van and my plan is to convert it to a simple camper van.&nbsp; I plan on doing as much of the work myself that I can.&nbsp; I need to take some pictures of my problem areas and ask questions.&nbsp; I will be insulating, installing 1 x 4" boards (somehow) to the metal frame and then stapling carpet to that.&nbsp; I plan on a sofa that converts to a double bed, a few small cabinets and storage areas.<br /><br />I would also like to connect some small U-bolts to the frame at different hights to tie things down if I need to.&nbsp; You know how van's are ... everything must be tied down or bolted to the frame.<br /><br />I'm open to suggestions on my project.

 

[Les H]

Hi grandmawalker,
I just escaped ( ummm, moved) from upstate ny last year. Spent most of my life in Catskill and Albany, now live in northeast Alabama. Good for you on the van purchase. My bus is a 2000 gmc Savana, bought it as an ex state prison van. Have fun with the conversion, and I'll make one recommendation. Instead if screwing 1x4 to the ribs, think about tounge and groove bead board. Screw one on the bottom, tounge up. Then stack the rest on, screwing each consecutive course near the tounge. Cuts your screws in half, a neater look, and the bread board is a finished product , ready to paint or stain. Also cuts out the step of the carpeting if you choose. ( most don't use carpet, it holds odors, dirt,and
moisture) good luck with it, and we LOVE pics :0)

 

[Guest]

Hi grandmawalker!<br />Welcome from southern New Mexico and good to have you with us. We have a number of women on here, of all ages and they do just great with their conversions....We can talk you through just about anything.<br /><br />Les makes a couple of excellent points....I love the bead-board myself and have it in my shorty bus.<br /><br />The less carpet you have, the better the air will be inside.&nbsp; Even on the floor, a hard floor with area rugs that can be removed and washed will make you a happy camper....<br /><br />Best of luck and ask anything you need to know...someone will have an answer...right or wrong..LOL..<br />Bri

 

[cargovanconversion]

Welcome to the forum and happy travels,<br /><br />I'm working on a conversion right now. Everything is documented with lots of pictures. Just have a look at <a href="http://cargovanconversion.com">cargovanconversion.com</a><br /><br />Van.

 

[gp]

Hi. Here's my cargo van conversion for more ideas.&nbsp; <img src="/images/boards/smilies/smile.gif" border="0" align="absmiddle"><a href="http://tinycamper.wordpress.com/from-cargo-to-camper-van/"><br /><br />http://tinycamper.wordpress.com/from-cargo-to-camper-van/</a><br /><br />

 

[grandmawalker]

Good Morning everyone,<br /><br />Wow, I was surprised with all of the responses I found this morning.&nbsp; I can see that I have come to the right place for advice.<br /><br />I had not thought of the moisture retention factor of using carpeting for the walls and ceiling.&nbsp; I will have to rethink that portion.<br /><br />I like the idea of the tounge N Groove wood and it would be really nice.&nbsp; I want to fasten cupboards and cabinets to the walls and I can not vision that the tounge-n-groove would be solid enough to do that.&nbsp; I still think I need to have the 1 x 4's attached to the frame.&nbsp; It would not be a solid wall of them but maybe 4 on the sides.&nbsp; One at the very top, one at the bottom and two spaced in between.&nbsp; What ever I decide to do with the walls can be attached to these boards and I can attach cabinets, etc. to the boards with L braces.<br /><br />Thanks for the link's to your conversions.&nbsp; It seems that I have alread studied both sites and have gotten some very good ideas from them.&nbsp; Nice work and you both have done&nbsp;a terrific job documenting it for all of us.<br /><br />I only have about an 1" space between the outside wall and the inside of the frame braces.&nbsp; I'm looking around for some kind of insulation that is also reflective.&nbsp; Any suggestions?&nbsp; My local stores to purchase insulation is Lowe's and HEP.&nbsp; There are other major companies in other area towns and cities.<br /><br />The van has a new thick rubber matt in it.&nbsp; I thought that I would use some carpet tape to tack down large throw rugs that could be taken up and washed.&nbsp; <br /><br />We are finally getting some rain here in our area so when the clouds clear and the sun comes back out I'll take some pic's of the van.<br /><br />I really appreciate all of your suggestions and keep them coming.<br /><br />Grandma

 

[grandmawalker]

I have looked at about every post on the internet concerning this phase and they alway just say attach to the frame ... but no one has every gotten down to the nitty gritty and told me what you need to do it and what to purchase.

 

[gp]

Hi Grandma.. Love your name.&nbsp; <img src="/images/boards/smilies/smile.gif" border="0" align="absmiddle"> Here are a couple other things you may want to consider.&nbsp; Using eyebolts instead of U bolts requires drilling only one hole per bolt. Position your furniture first before installing the eyebolts so they don't get in the way of your movement,&nbsp;underbed storage,&nbsp;or floorplan. Also, consider using the lightest-weight material possible if you are going to install cupboards as weight up high can contribute to van rollover. I didn't install&nbsp;cupboards for that reason.&nbsp; And, with your extended length van, you will probably want to put most of the load weight&nbsp;between the&nbsp;front and rear tires to prevent fishtailing when you drive on curvy roads.

 

[grandmawalker]

To gp .... I see where the eyebolts would be a good thing and to install them to my cross boards when I need them.&nbsp; As far as my cabinets goes .. I'm planning on using the extra tall kitchen overhead cupboards.&nbsp; They are only 12" deep and about the right height.&nbsp; I will not be going the running water route or lots of electric.&nbsp; We do just simple camping with cooking outside or if it raining we'll have bread n butter and pork n beans.&nbsp; <img src="../images/boards/smilies/smile.gif" alt="" align="absMiddle" border="0" /><br /><br />Next year, if I find that we need it, I may look into solar instead of installing an auxilitery battery.&nbsp; I want it to look nice but keep it a simple camper.&nbsp; The very back end of the van will be saved to use as my pick-up truck.&nbsp; I do a lot of gardening and am always&nbsp;buying soil and compost every spring.&nbsp; And I love garage sales.<br /><br />I know about weight distribution as I have been&nbsp;a truck driver (8 wheeler &amp; 10 wheeler) from the 50's &amp; 60's.&nbsp; I hauled vegetable crops from early spring starting with peas and continued with other crops right through to the end of Oct with pumpkins &amp; squash.&nbsp; Have you ever been on one end of a pitch fork and a big squash on the other end lifting it up over the top of the rack.&nbsp; Today I wonder where all those muscles went too.<img src="../images/boards/smilies/rolleyes.gif" alt="" align="absMiddle" border="0" /><br /><br />I know that I have to pay attention when the wind blows hard and that will be fun in the winter if we get a blizzard.&nbsp; But being retired, if it's not an emergency I can watch the storm from recliner.

 

[KatieinKansas]

...Glad you're with us grandmawalker..&nbsp; Welcome.<br />Katie

 

[BigBlue]

Welcome ! this is the best website i've found for helping people convert vans!